Episode 13: Scott McFadden - Director of Design at BSA LifeStructures

PART 1

Today I’m joined by Scott McFadden, Director of Design at BSA LifeStructures–an architectural and engineering firm that designs facilities to support, enhance and inspire healing, learning and discoveries.

Scott is brilliant and passionate, and generously shares his wisdom from his 30 years of design work. My favorite part of the conversation was learning about one of BSA’s latest projects called, Giving Hope Family Centers, the first of its kind in the United States, designed for people with physical and intellectual disabilities like autism. As Scott shares, “The existence of such a place will help thousands of people of any age and their families come from all over the world for various health and medical support. The facility will include a huge recreational component, with bowling alleys, swimming pools, a movie theater and an education component, including job training.” To learn more about Scott McFadden and BSA Life Structures, visit: https://bsalifestructures.com

Thank you to our industry partner The Center For Health Design! Learn more about how CHD can support your firm by visiting: http://healthdesign.org.

And to the American Association of Healthcare Interior Designers, thank you for your support of this program. Enhance your professional credibility by earning the Certified Healthcare Interior Design credential. Visit AAHID.org for more info.

In this episode you will learn:

Why it’s important to always look for a YES for a window in the patient room, not just to let natural light in, but to give a patient who is in bed with limited mobility, a view.

When to push back on a design issue on a project and why.

The details of a current BSA project, “Giving Hope Family Centers”, the first of its kind in the United States, designed for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

How to support clients who suddenly have to place a hospital project on hold because of budget issues.

What visionary healthcare means to Scott and BSA Life Structures.

What healthcare is going to look like in the year 2040.

Physicians are going to attack disease in the future and that will change how the physical space is designed.

Where Scott finds his current design inspiration.

How empathy plays a role in design in 2019.

How the hospitality industry has been a game changer for healthcare designers and made it easier to design comfortable and beautiful healing spaces.

Why the integration of retail corridors in hospitals is becoming more and more common.

PART 2

In the second part of my conversation with Scott McFadden, Director of Design at BSA LifeStructures–an architectural and engineering firm that designs facilities to support, enhance and inspire healing, learning and discoveries–you’ll hear how on larger projects, the team builds what they call a life size “Cardboard City” in a big warehouse to test out the plan, show it to the client, and then reassess what they’ve learned. It’s fascinating and so is this episode. Learn more about Scott and BSA Life Structures at: https://www.bsalifestructures.com/

Thank you to our industry partner The Center For Health Design! Learn more about how CHD can support your firm by visiting: http://healthdesign.org.

And to the American Association of Healthcare Interior Designers, thank you for your support of this program. Enhance your professional credibility by earning the Certified Healthcare Interior Design credential. Visit http://aahid.org for more info.

In this episode you will learn:

BFA’s discovery and collaboration process at the beginning of a project includes large scale models, and puzzles presented on tables to clients and staff who get to participate in this deeply experiential and engaging process.

Once the floorplan is solid, the team builds what they call a life size “Cardboard City” in a big warehouse to test out the plan, show it to the client, and then reassess what they’ve learned.

One of Scott’s favorite parts of healthcare design is the ability to create a hospital that doesn’t feel like a hospital.

Infection control is a huge issue and the durability of products that last 20+ years is forefront in the minds of designers, architects and planners.

A day in the life of Scott at BSA Life Structures and what it takes to keep the energy high in his career.

Advice to new healthcare designers starting out.

If you’re a kid in the 70’s who loves to design and draw and you don’t have a straightedge, you can use Lincoln Logs instead!

A Sky Farm was created on the exterior of a large hospital project where hospital chefs would give demonstrations and classes on food and gardening.

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Porcelanosa’s KRION® Solid Surface Material is made out of two-thirds natural minerals and a low percentage of high-resistance resins. KRION® is available in an array of colors, can be thermocurved or backlit, and is antibacterial – making it a perfect product for the healthcare industry. KRION® is also highly resistant to impacts and external elements (such as fire, chemicals, and frost), and is easy to clean and maintain.

Inspired by the properties of photocatalytic materials, Porcelanosa has evolved their KRION® Solid Surface material called K-LIFE. When K-LIFE comes into contact with light, it will be able to purify the air, expel harmful bacteria, and more. K-LIFE can easily be integrated into many applications – from wall coverings and claddings for ceilings, to custom tables, bars, sinks, shelving units and furniture. The application of K-LIFE in areas with high daily traffic, such as waiting rooms or reception areas, can assure a gradual decontamination of germs and lead to ongoing ecological benefits. Some research performed with KRION® K-LIFE, which has photocatalytic properties, proved that the material can significantly reduce the presence of bacteria. This revolutionary process has led to a patent pending, innovative, and exclusive product that will have a direct effect on our quality of life.